A crowd of thousands and warm weather helped make Aquafest 2016 “one of the best ever”.
Celebrating its 38th year, stalls, fairground rides for children, a range of live music acts in the arena and raft races by scouts helped make it “a great day”.
Eric Grant, of Ely Rotary Club, said: “As always there was a huge crowd watching and cheering the seven rafts on.
“Tesco’s raft entertained everyone by spraying water as they made their way along the course, but Atrium’s didn’t make the finish line as their raft fell apart in the first half of the race.”
The prize for best decorated raft went to Big Ben as they completed the race with a cardboard model of Big Ben on board.
Ely Rocking Ukuleles opened the festivities in the arena, getting feet tapping and voices booming. They were followed by Suspects Cru, “an unusual troupe with extremely physical movements to very modern music”. Ely Silver Starlets performed next, followed by headliners 4th Dimension who have a troupe of 102 young people; their performance included a rendition of ‘The Hills are Alive with the Sound of Music’ by five young members.
Soham Fenland Majorettes performed for rotary for the first time in several years, and were a great success, as were the Shani Dancers with Elysian Belly Dancers, who concluded the proceedings.
There was also a “fun draw”, with the £10 prize being won by Sophie from High Barnes.
To enter a raft next year email Viv Doji at vclariced@hotmail.com for an entry form.
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